AREQUIPA MY CUTE WHITE CITY

August 15 is celebrated on the day of Arequipa, my second home because my mother is from Arequipa.

If my memories served me well, I remember when we and my father used to travel to Arequipa. My first trip as a child was to Arequipa.
I remember a lot the countryside, the scenery, the marvelous sun, the smell of animals, food and of course their beloved and kindness people.
 
Remember we went to visiting family and they invited us beans cooked and boiled garlic, which caused great shock to me, but I liked
Also remember that we ate guinea pig chactado, I felt sorry for the guinea pig, but I liked it.

My mom used to cooking with my relatives, and one day I helped them to peeling the peppers, but I made the error of putting my fingers into my eyes, you can imagine how much it burns, I cried so much!, But also cried when I ate Filling Rocoto. Now I love them.

Then when I was younger I never stopped visiting my lovely city of Arequipa. Where in the entrance of the first view you can see his lovely Misti volcano named has a inexplicable magic that encourages you to visit forever.

I have always used to travel to Arequipa, curiously all August 15, forever in my best vacation which brings me just as good memories I keep forever.
 
For the people of Arequipa which has habits them know the "Te pitiado" which is a combination of tea and Anise, The holding of the "Virgen de Chapi" on May 1rst.,  the delicious Adobo who we eat each Sunday, of course "white soup" that continues .. yumy
 
I love Arequipa, I hope that one day you will be traveling there. I believe it will be quite soon.

Meanwhile one of my favorites songs, a toast to Arequipa!! 

         

COME ON ...THIS IS FROM PERÚ

I dont know why this chilean cheff, try to copy our meals. All over the world know that "La Causa" "El Ceviche" "El Pisco Sour" is from Perú.
I saw this chilean chef on the tv, promoting our meals as if they were from Chile, and it only make me laugh, because ...since I were a child we eat those meals at home...all peruvians eat those delicious food...you know that.
Of course it comes, from  only one chilean cheff, because I know all chilean people recognize our peruvian food as one of the best in the world.
All this talk of food caused me to eat my "Delicious peruvian food"..see you later..!!..I am going to eat my "Causa Limeña"
                                        
                                                SO COME ON ...THIS IS FROM PERU

PAUL MC CARTNEY

Go to the concert of Paul McCartney, for me it was something amazing, like a dream, especially if I went with my daughter.

I bought my "red carpet" tickets, to see him up close.

The concert began at 09:30 p.m, but I found that there were people who had camped outside the place for more than 2 days.

Therefore, I had to leave early at about 06:00p.m., because traffic was full. so we had to walk some like 1 mile, luckily I was in slippers.

The people around the concert was selling tshirts, posters and a lot of souvenirs. But I did not by anything, but after the concert because it is cheaper.

As we walked to the entrance way, there were security people who checked our bags, because it was forbidden to bring cameras.

Along the way he had spent some horses, and of course we had to be careful when walking and stepping on something...!!

At last we arrived and learned taht they had  no chairs, we were going to be stand up until  12:30 a.m

People walked with his beer in hand...ahhh was terrible...had a lot of noise, there were many people.

But when he appeared all cried with joy to see. It's something I can no describe, his songs take me to the past, when my father put his Long Play. I was  jumping  all the concert and certainly I did not stop singing their songs...all...all I sang..!! See me crying and more when he sang "hey Jude and "Yesterday"...so far I can not believe.

The concert was wonderful, I never saw something like that, with a spectacular sound, fireworks, and he is  super charismatic.

At the end I got home very late, tired from walking, jumping, singing, mourn...but you know what? was worth it...because he is a Beatle...and I saw him..what else I can ask?

MARCA PERU - BRAND PERU

Yesterday I saw with great emotion, an advertisement that will launch "Promperu" promoting the brand Perú.
It really is very good, and shows all the virtues and habits we have.
This was carried out in "Nebraska", in a town strangely called "Perú", and therefore, all its residents are "Peruvians (but live in Nebraska).
They  used to live in calm and in peace, and commercial participants arrived, and of course they  broke all schemes.
I pass the video, and I hope enjoy it as I, because I felt so much emotion...which I admit...I cried.
Enjoy the video:

MY BIRTHDAY

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY...,,YEAHHH!!!

If my memories serve me right, I remember, when my parents and brothers used to woke me up early in the morning to sang to me "Happy Birthday to you"...and "The Mañañitas"..They did therefore it every year. Not only with me but also with all my  brothers and of course we did the same to  them.
Now my children also follow that tradition, and they woke me up early in the morning and sang to me "Happy Birthday to me..."..And I´m so Happy, that I share it with all of you.
Today my family and I are going to reunite to take a "lonchecito" (take a tea), to eat cake, and have a nice day. I can´t wait.

¡¡¡...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...!!!...AND ¡¡¡...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO..!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Christmas is approaching, homes have lights and Christmas decorations,fireworks are heard,  the shops are full, it seems that everyone expects the last minute to buy gifts.

And as the hour is near, do not know why one feels some homesickness, maybe for the memories of beings ones who are no longer with us, maybe in the heavens or maybe living abroad. But you have to lift those spirits, because there is always someone close to one,  and remember that it not only is buying Christmas gifts, we`re  celebrating the birth of Jesus, so that's what we have to celebrate.

In my case,  we're getting together at home. Normally in a Christmas dinner in my country we eat turkey, tamales, salads, rice, pineapple, applesauce, sometimes pork, and of course his inevitable Panettone bread, and milk chocolate...This is my turkey recipe:

Preparation:

1 turkey 8 kg

2 cups cider or champagne

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp mustard

Salt and black pepper

½ cup of pisco

2 tbsp orégano

1 tbsp honey
1 white onion
butter 50 grs.

Preparation

Insert pisco over the turkey

Mix cider with salt, pepper, garlic, mustard, oregano, paprika and honey

Place turkey mixture and let stand 8 hours.

Place turkey on a white onion, chopped preveiously.

Place inside the turkey branches of Rosemary and 2 or 3 green apples.
Add Butter (50 grs) over the turkey.

Bake at 350 F for 2 hours 30 minutes.

Secrets:

Some, place two days before the turkey in a bucke of salt and a Little sugar (to make it moist), then dry de turkey and add all the ingredients.

Others, add Coca Cola and dark beer or a Little of sugar blondy.

   

PISCO SOUR

Pisco Sour is the signature drink of Perú, and I love Pisco Sour, specially when I`m in a meeting sharing with my friends, who have told they love my recipe...and there is step by step:
Ingredients
3 measures of pisco (of course made in Perú)
2 measures of lemon juice
1 measure of sugar syrop
1 egg white
15 ice cubes
Cinnamon
Preparation
Blend the pisco, lemon and sugar syrop. Them add the egg white and the ice cubes until it looks foamy.
Served in glass and add the cinnamon (just a little)
Trust me you will like...but not taking too much.

Sugar syrop recipe:
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
Boil until syrup note that this type and let it cool.

PALILLO-STICK

The variety of Turmeric grows in Peru is called "Curcuma Longa, and takes the name of" Stick "and its main crop is in the Peruvian jungle, recent studies indicates that this variety is rich in bisdemethoxycurcumin, an anti oxidant that can combat the accumulation of proteins that are parked in fighting the dreaded Alzheimer brain.

The Machigengas (tribe of the Peruvian jungle) say that turmeric is a good diuretic and prevents constipation (flu).

It also acts as anti-inflammatory respiratory, joint and urinary tract, is also useful in cases of prostatitis.

It also stimulates blood circulation, they not only use it as medicine, culinary flavoring and coloring, but also effectively trim, as the spread on the skin, provides moisture and freshness.

AJI DE GALLINA

Today I had lunch a very delicious "aji de gallina", salty foods I don`t like to cook with exact measurements, anyway here is my recipe

Ingredientes:

1 Chicken breast

1 stalk celery

1 tbsp oil

½ chopped onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

½ tbsp of “palillo” (optional)

2 yellow peppers blended (if you like spicy)

6 slices of bread/soaked in mil kan chicken broth

Salt  and pepper to taste

Chopped pecans to taste (optional)

Chopped parsley to taste

Hard eggs

Preparation

Boil the chicken breast in water, celery and salt, then fray and reserve.

In a pan add oil, onion, garlic, palillo and the chili liquid, then add the shredded chicken and bread blending.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Add pecans and parmesan cheese to taste.

Check the consistencyit must not be watery , you can keep adding chicken broth or milk.

Finally add the copped parsley.

Served with potato, egg and rice...Enjoy...!!!

EL AJI AMARILLO (Capsicum baccatum.Variedad: pendulum)

CARACTERÍSTICAS:

A esta especie pertenecen muchas de las variedades cultivadas en nuestro país, especialmente las de la costa, donde fueron encontrados restos de ají amarillo de 4000 años de antigüedad, en las zonas arqueológicas de Huaca Prieta y Ancón.

La corola del ají amarillo es blanca con manchas amarillas o rojas; su fruto es generalmente de color anaranjado, aunque varía en algunos casos; y posee semillas de color cremoso o blanquecino.   

DISTRIBUCIÓN:

En el Perú el aji amarillo desarrolla en costa, sierra y Amazonía hasta unos 1500 msnm, en climas cálidos con temperaturas de entre 16 y 24 ºC.

USOS:

1) Alimento: El fruto se usa como condimento por su sabor picante, como verdura en ensalada, y como base para la preparación del ají de gallina, papa a la huancaína, salsa de ocopa, cauchi de queso, escabeche y varios platos más.

2) Medicinal: Analgésico odontológico; picaduras de abejas, avispas, arañas y alacranes; tratar orzuelo, reumas, amigdalitis, hemorroides externas, hipo rebelde, galactóforo, contra los sabañones, antigripal y sudorífico.

3) Ornamental: Una vez secados los frutos son utilizados como adornos de cocina.

EL OLLUCO

El olluco o papalisa (Ullucus tuberosus) es una hortaliza de tierra, un tubérculo de tamaño por lo general pequeño en comparación con la papa, de forma alargada, de cáscara lisa y delgada con protuberancias. Es originario de nuestros Andes donde también fue domesticado, su consumo es frecuente en la costa peruana en platos muy apreciados como el olluquito con carne o con charqui (carne seca de llama).

También se consume el olluco seco o deshidratado, que se procesa como la papa seca y se utiliza en preparaciones diversas como en los picantes. Otra forma de consumo es el olluco deshidratado por exposición a heladas, lavado y secado, hasta obtener la harina.

Consumir el olluco fresco, resulta ser una opción adecuada para platos bajos en calorías ya que contiene más de 80% de agua, poco almidón y cantidades insignificantes de grasa por tanto es bajo en calorías. Sin embargo, al consumirlo en su forma seca o de harina es un alimento que conserva sólo la parte sólida sin agua siendo de esta manera un alimento que enriquece el plato en cuanto a las calorías.

Respecto a las vitaminas y minerales contiene pequeñas cantidades de calcio, fósforo y vitaminas del complejo B, pero destaca en otras como la vitamina C y el hierro.

La dieta saludable requiere de variedad de alimentos y el olluco es un alimento nutritivo que puede alternar a la papa, que es también un tubérculo bondadoso y ampliamente consumido.

COMIDA PERUANA

Adoro la comida peruana, con su ajicito, su cebollita...y todos los itos posibles.
De hecho que mi plato preferido es el "Olluquito", aquí les paso la receta, disfrútenlo:
Receta:
1K (2lb) de Olluco, cortado en juliana fina
4 cucharadas de aceite
250 grs (1/2 lb) de carne de res picada en tiras delgada
1/2 taza de cebolla, finamente cortado
3 dientes de ajo
1 cucharadita de comino
2 cucharadas de ají panca
1 cucharada de ají amarillo
1 cucharadita de páprika o de pimentón
sal y pimienta al gusto
2 cucharadas de perejil picado
Preparación
Remojar los ollucos en agua con sal durante 1 hora.
Calentar el aceite en una olla y freir la carne hasta que este dorada. Retirar y reservar.
En el mismo aceite, freir la cebolla junto el ajo hasta que esté transparebte. Agregar el pimentón, ají panca, ají amarillo, comino, sal, pimienta al gusto. Cocinar unos minutos.
Agregar los ollucos previamente escurridos y la carne. Tapar la olla y cocinar a fuego lento hasta que el olluco esté tierno, aproximadamente unos 15 a 20 minutos, moviendo ocasionalmente. Agregar el perejil y mezclar.

Acompañar con Arroz, y por supuesto con su ajicito...que rico..!!!